After two years of touring Songs by Triana, Manuel Martínez, Paco Ventura and Manuel Ibáñez They return to the essence of Medina Azahara with a double album of new songs that will silence the critics when it emerged it emerged from some the day has come and the band was criticized for a certain lack of creativity. Like a new rebirth, the band now hits the road last Friday. endless dreamIt’s a work that means that, four decades later, the band are more alive than ever, with a desire to hit the stage and live on the road. Although there is no date yet for their presentation in Córdoba, tomorrow, Monday, the band members will meet their followers at Hipercor de Ronda in Córdoba at 18.00 and sign copies of their new album.
Why ‘The Big Sleep’?
Manolo Martínez (MM): We liked this expression in a song and decided to give this name to the album.
Paco Ventura (PV): This is not a farewell title, quite the opposite. For us, this means moving on, resurfacing, continuing to do what we know best, which is music, and continuing to be a part of Andalusian rock history. We have an eternal dream to continue on stage.
Twenty-three new songs and a version of Umberto Tozzi’s ‘I will walk’. A real waste of creation, they look uninspiring.
(MM): We wrote even more songs, but it wasn’t about making a triple album. This is a bet on ourselves because after The Day Came we started to hear that the band made that album because they had no idea anymore, it was over. This album was our answer to those criticisms.
They claim that this new album represents a new rebirth for the band, what do they mean?
(MM): I think there is talk of rebirth because after our last albums, we came back with our own songs.
(PV): After taking a break from Triana’s songs, I think we need to be reborn and gain momentum with new songs and unreleased songs. Reborn is a word that has always been our banner, because we are a band that, after this long history, has to continue to show that Medina Azahara has a lot to contribute to music.
Manuel Ibáñez (MI): After so many studio albums, it’s like rising from the ashes and now we are Medina Azahara more than ever.
What themes do they address in these songs?
(MM): We talk about love, our childhood, women, children living in war… We also talk a little about politics, but without addressing anyone. As always, we object to everything, but we are also consistent in what we write, even though sometimes we want to write more black than white. There is always ash between the two.
(PV): There are also very lively songs such as Everyone Standing, a song dedicated to radio, for which we have to thank a lot, and Everyone Standing, which promotes fun.
Is there a noticeable change in the sound?
(MI): The change was to return to our sound, to the essence of Medina Azahara. It is true that this album has a rock character, but without losing the keyboard melodies.
(PV): There is an evolution in the sound because as technique progresses, a more sophisticated sound is achieved, and we have always been concerned with trying to make each album sound better. The evolution will be very apparent when listening to this album.
Has it been difficult to maintain the essence of the band over all these years, especially for Manolo Martínez, the only original member of the band? Have you tried using other methods?
(MM): Some producers and labels tried to seduce us, but we did not force anything, staying true to what we once thought was the essence of the group. I tried to sing the same way without having problems with the accent, contributing to that quejío that makes Andalusian music different from others. Sometimes it’s hard because there are people who think that success can come in a different way, with other styles, but the biggest success is being on the road for 43 years, being ourselves and being with a handful of people who follow us and sing with us. our songs.
The previous album, ‘Llegó el día’, was produced by José Luis Figuereo, El Barrio, and they also collaborate on a song in this new work.
(MI): He heard the song, liked it very much and offered to sing it with us. This is an honor for us, because in addition to being fans of Andalusian rock and Andalusia, we are also united by a great friendship.
How do you evaluate the tour album you prepared in memory of Triana?
(MM): Totally positive. It was a very risky project, Triana set the bar so high and composed such beautiful and romantic songs that it was difficult to handle. We started with a topic, liked the idea and continued. We’ve been touring with this work for two years and have met a wide variety of listeners, from those who know the band and have experienced their music live, to young people wondering what Medina Azahara is doing with them. . topics.
(PV): One of the biggest benefits of touring was the broadening of the audience by doing it in theaters, places where people could stop and listen. We gained back many followers who preferred calm.
Will these songs still be in your repertoire?
(MM): Very little, because there are a lot of new songs, especially the ones we had to play out of necessity. I need to breathe while walking in the Cordoba Mosque, everything has an end…
When does the tour start?
(MM): We started on January 19 at the Cartuja Center in Seville.
Have an appointment in Córdoba?
(MI): We’re working on it.
During their career, they have achieved nearly 4,000 concerts, more than 23 albums, ten Gold and two Platinum Records and approximately 230 songs. What do they need to achieve?
(MM): Even though we have played in very important venues, I think we can perform in a symbolic place. We’ve always liked the idea of going to Japan.
(PV): And the Andalusian Medal, which has not been given to us yet. We have the Fine Arts Gold Medal and would love to be recognized in our country. Maybe they expect us to have 50 years of experience.
What does it mean to you to be the reference of Andalusian rock? Do you think this is a big responsibility?
(MM): It’s an honor, but we’re not the only ones who deserve it. Maybe we are the reference because we never left. When everyone fled, we continued to fight for that torch, the rock of Andalusia.
The lyrics often reflect the history, culture and traditions of Andalusia. How have you seen this land develop over the last forty years?
(PV): Above all, the roads have improved a lot before it becomes a long journey to get to Madrid (laughs). Jokes aside, forty years ago music served to embrace the things that people could now sing out loud, that people took to the streets and were not afraid of.
They have experienced many different political moments throughout their careers. How do you see this?
(MM): A bit of chaos. I think politicians leave much to be desired. We met very good politicians like Julio Anguita. Politics almost went along with it. There are now political apprentices who only know how to promise things they know they cannot deliver. We are neither right nor left, we are music.
(PV): Previous politicians, regardless of their party, were wholehearted. They gave their lives to improve the situation of the country…
Even though we are in the 21st century, there are many artists who are subject to censorship today. Have you experienced similar moments throughout your career?
(MM): Even though we were a little scared, we never felt pressured to remove a song from the repertoire. We mess with whoever we want, and we’ve always proclaimed freedom.
Is live music still Medina Azahara’s strong point?
(PV): It is the reason for existence. We are the soul of the road and live music has always been our source of expansion. Before networks, word of mouth worked.
(MI): We need the warmth of the people, records are part of our history, but concerts are about meeting our people and what makes us happy.
As they say, they live on the road. What kind of residue does this life leave behind?
(PV): We still have fun, it’s very familiar, we love being at home, but we feel weird when we’re there for days. And we checked all the restaurants, our own Campsa and Michelin guide.
(MI): The road is a part of our lives.
How do you manage to work together for all these years? What happens when someone disagrees on something?
(PV): We know each other so well that we know how to persuade someone when they disagree.
(MI): It is also a part of our essence, the salt of life. I am someone who gets angry all the time.
Which of your songs-hymns make your audience tremble the most?
(MM): I need to breathe. This is a song that labels didn’t want to record but people jumped on as soon as it was played. And I let them say the first sentence.
How would you like to be remembered?
(PV): There is a street in Córdoba (laughs).
(MM): I don’t know, I think we’d like to be remembered for what we were, as a band that had a long and always stable career and managed to survive many cultural movements. Genius and figure.